Planning begins with prevention. Just as you teach your children about the dangers of drugs and alcohol (or, with younger children, the dangers of eating or drinking something they shouldn't), parents should also teach children-even young ones-about the dangers of matches, lighters, and electrical cords. Just as you child-proof your home against injury, you should also be vigilant about fire hazards.



According to www.mcgruff.org, over 100,000 fires each year are started by children, over thirty percent of the fires that kill children are started by children, and two-thirds of these are set by children playing with matches and lighters in their bedrooms.

So, not only is it necessary to discourage children from playing with combustible materials, it's necessary to explain to them why. It's equally important to teach children neither to play around nor to touch stoves, furnaces, lamp fixtures, or any appliance with heating capability.

Smoke alarms are probably the most important tool in any fire prevention arsenal. There should be at least one on each floor of the home, especially near bedrooms. But, if you're ever awakened by a smoke detector don't assume the same of your children-younger kids often sleep right through the alarm-you'll need to plan on waking them, yourself. Test your smoke detectors at least once a month-it only takes a second.

As a family, develop an escape plan, in case of fire. In multi-level homes, several different escape plans could be necessary, to cover all the possibilities-a downstairs fire, an upstairs fire, etc. If your escape plan includes opening windows, inspect your windows often-especially children's windows-to make sure they open easily and quickly. Make sure your children know how to unlock and open your doors, quickly. Teach them how to dial 9-1-1, and what to say to the dispatcher-your name, address, and the nature of the emergency.

Practice your escape plans at least once a month, and more often, if necessary, to ensure smooth execution. Make it a pre-bedtime game for the whole family. The more often your kids have a run through of the plan, the less likely they'll be to panic in a real emergency, and the more likely everyone in your family will be to survive, unharmed.

If you remodel your home, re-form your escape plan. Doors may be in different places, and new windows may open differently, and each second in your escape is precious.

Plan a specific meeting place, outside, where each family member can reach quickly. Many fire deaths occur, when people who've escaped rush back in to burning houses, to check for family members who haven't been accounted for.

These and many more tips can be found at www.homesafetycouncil.org/safety .

Statistically, you'll probably never need to implement your escape plan. But, if you have one ready, you'll sleep easier at night, knowing your family is as prepared as they can be.